By John Dike, Osogbo
The Senate has faulted Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the request as unnecessary and capable of trivialising a traumatic national security incident.
The upper legislative chamber, during plenary on Tuesday, instead commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Armed Forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue of the victims after 56 days in captivity.
Governor Makinde had, in a statewide broadcast on Monday following the handover of the rescued victims by the military to the Oyo State Government, urged the United Nations and other international human rights and accountability organisations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
He argued that the incident raised questions requiring independent scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.
However, the Senate rejected the proposal while adopting a motion titled: “Commendation of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Nigerian Armed Forces; and other security agencies for the successful rescue of abducted school children and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and recognition of the gallant security personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice during the operation.”
The motion was sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), and co-sponsored by all senators.
An additional prayer condemning Makinde’s call for a UN investigation was moved by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey (APC, Cross River South).
The Senate urged the Oyo governor to refrain from what it described as trivialising the incident, stressing that national attention should remain on supporting Nigeria’s security institutions and honouring personnel who risked and, in some cases, lost their lives during the rescue mission.
Lawmakers applauded the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency and all officers involved in the operation for their professionalism, courage, patriotism and dedication.
The Senate also congratulated the rescued pupils, teachers and their families, while observing a minute’s silence in honour of those who died during the operation, including a teacher who reportedly lost his life in captivity.
Tributes were paid to Lieutenant F. A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force, who died during the rescue mission.
The lawmakers further commended Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain for his bravery, wished him a speedy recovery, and urged the appropriate authorities to provide him with the best medical care and ensure all his welfare entitlements are paid.
The Senate also called on the Federal Government to promptly pay the death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other entitlements due to the families of the fallen security personnel.
It further urged the government to strengthen the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, while calling for sustained military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements across the country.
The lawmakers also appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with timely intelligence and cooperation in the ongoing fight against insecurity.
